Wilson Schools To Continue Convocation Before Graduation

Wilson Area School Board decided last night to continue having the traditional convocation program after a student survey showed about half the seniors plan to attend.

Superintendent Albert Zarbatany last week asked the board to consider dropping the inspirational speech held at Meuser Park the Sunday evening before graduation.

Zarbatany said convocation attendance has been about 50 percent for the past 10 years and noted the district is not required to hold it.

Bill Vaccaro, a student representative to the board, was asked to get student input. Last night he said 91 seniors were polled on whether they would attend, with 56 saying they would.

"We should continue the convocation," Vaccaro said. "It's a tradition."

Some students who said they would not attend said they disliked the religious aspect of the convocation, and others said they just did not want to go, Vaccaro said.

The board unanimously approved keeping the convocation.

In other matters, the board's building committee will meet tonight with the architect for the $16.2 million high school construction project. The architect requested a second survey of the location that would cost the board $4,200 more.

Several board members questioned the need for the survey and said they will voice their concerns to the architect tonight.

Zarbatany said the original survey of a curved street where a curved walkway will be built was not commissioned by the architect, but was a result of a direct contract with the district.

The school still is being designed and is expected to go out to bid soon, with construction expected to begin in April. The school, to be built across from the old school on 22nd Street, is expected to be completed in September 1994.

Construction of the addition to Williams Township School is going well though a week or two behind schedule, officials said.

Board member Robert Purdy said the roof is being put in place and the building is almost closed in. Heating, plumbing and electrical contractors are starting their work and an April completion seems realistic,he said.